As the sky darkens tonight, the iconic BASILDON sign will be illuminated purple in a bid to raise awareness on Pancreatic Cancer Day.
The Purple Lights campaign is supported by Pancreatic Cancer UK, and aims to shine a light on this devastating form of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas grow out of control, forming a lump. It has the lowest survival rate of all the 20 most common cancers in the UK, with just seven percent of people living for five years or more after diagnosis, and more than half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months.
Tina Assenheim, an Essex resident and volunteer for Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “My husband was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on 27 April 2018, and died on 23 June 2018. That’s why early detection is so important.
“Getting the Basildon sign lit purple is a big achievement for the movement, and I hope that when people drive past the sign or see it on social media, they have a search of what it’s for.
“If the raised awareness helps even one person recognise their symptoms and go to see their GP then I would be happy.”
The Mayor of Basildon, Councillor David Burton-Sampson, added: “We are honoured to support the Purple Lights movement by lighting up the Basildon sign tonight.
“Raising awareness of this cause is important as we remember those who are fighting and those whom we have lost to this extremely tough disease and as we continually hope for medical development to improve treatment and survival rates.”
